Cheryl Shepherd knows how cancer can affect a family, and now, she is hoping to ease that struggle for others.

She has started “Cleaning for Cancer” through her Belmont-based business, Maids of Honor Cleaning Service. Shepherd is offering a free, three-hour cleaning to anyone within 30 miles of Charlotte undergoing cancer treatment.

“I lost my father to cancer,” she said. “I am no stranger to the challenges facing a family as they struggle to cope with cancer.”

Shepherd offers basic cleaning services, such as dusting, vacuuming and mopping, for the cancer patients. Many times, cancer patients and their families are too exhausted or lack the time to keep their homes very clean. They are too busy going to doctor’s appointments or simply fighting for their lives.

“I don’t want any kind of pressure on these people,” Shepherd said. “I just want to come in there and be a blessing to them. I want to help as many people as I can.”

Shepherd was inspired to start “Cleaning for Cancer” after witnessing a friend in her church battle terminal cancer. Shepherd was so touched by the man’s willpower to live that she started “Cleaning for Cancer” and offered her first free cleaning to the man and his wife, whom had become immersed in caring for her husband.

“He is such a wonderful person and you’ve got to understand, this man was supposed to die 12 months ago,” Shepherd said. “He’s still here. Every church service he can, he’s sitting in that pew.”

“Cleaning for Cancer” is providing the free cleaning to a different cancer patient each week. No payment is needed or accepted, and Shepherd does not expect them to use her business for future cleaning services. She doesn’t even want tips for her work.

“It’s not something that’s here today, gone tomorrow or a special or anything like that,” Shepherd said of the service. “It’s something I want to do – always.”

For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-888-333-1940 or visit www.themaidsofhonor.net.